Turntable Reviews

Thiele TT01 Zero Tracking Error Turntable with Thiele DB and DW01

Christiaan Punter 23 October 2026 No Comments

Thorens TD1601/TP160

This Thorens turntable impresses with its combination of airy refinement, liquidity, and natural tonality. It’s not as neutral or as exciting as the Technics, but it has a more natural timbre and is very easy to listen to. However, just like the Technics, this Thorens is simply no match for the Thiele.

First and foremost, it cannot match the Thiele’s rock-solid stability and physical presence. As lyrical, natural, and free-flowing as it sounds, it’s just not nearly as convincingly realistic. Although it provides a more natural sound than the Technics, it is rhythmically less sure-footed and rather polite, especially when compared to the very robust, dynamic, and expressive Thiele.

Further, the aforementioned differences in soundstage stability and imaging between the Technics and Thiele play out very similarly with the Thorens.

Even if the Thorens improves on the Technics in certain aspects, it does not come any closer to the Thiele’s incredible performance, and again, it is simply no contest.

Thorens TD1601/TP92

Just as the Thorens with the TP160 arm has its particular strengths, so does the TP92 arm, which is why I have kept both turntables so far. The TP92 arm produces remarkably full-bodied bass, with a more deliberate sense of PRaT and a robust, dynamically impactful overall delivery. In this sense, it initially seems to get closer to the Thiele than the other two turntables. However, this arm offsets these feats with a drier, less refined upper midrange and treble. Although it has an impressively powerful, exciting delivery, it paints in broad strokes and lacks the refinement, delicacy, and fluidity that the Thorens with the TP160 arm and the Technics both provide.

So, once again, all bets are off as soon as I switch to the Thiele TT01. Yup, it is no contest. The Thiele is simply better in every respect.

All three turntables’ concepts have been well thought out, and they all perform well above average in the most important parameters. At their price level, you can’t ask for more. Nevertheless, each model still has its particular strengths, and as I know all too well, it is not hard to find a product that outperforms another in a given aspect or two. However, it is incredibly hard to surpass a well-balanced product across the board, in all parameters. More often than not, some areas improve while others take a backseat. That’s why I was still using this trio. This goes back to what I often write in my reviews: in audio, just as in life, perfection does not exist. It comes down to finding the right balance of virtues that matches your preferences.

However, with the Thiele TT01, I simply cannot find any trade-offs. This turntable not only outperforms my three current turntables, but it also impressed me more than any other turntable I have used or reviewed. If perfection is a pipe dream, then what am I to make of the TT01?

Thorens TAS 1600 in TA01

So far, I have been listening to the TT01 using the Analog Relax EX500 MC cartridge. Not quite fair, indeed, given that this cartridge alone costs more than any of my three turntables with a Thorens TAS 1600 MC cartridge. To rule out this variable, I removed the EX500 from the TA01 arm and substituted a second TAS 1600 cartridge.

Ok, this certainly diminishes the magic, making the performance leaner, tonally duller, and less natural, realistic, and convincing. I’ve never found the TAS 1600 to sound synthetic, but the EX500’s richly saturated tonality and highly natural timbre do make it sound that way. This sure illustrates just beautifully why it makes sense to invest in a truly high-end cartridge. I’ve always felt the Thorens cartridge offers excellent performance for its price, and I’ve found it hard to meaningfully improve on it with any other cartridge in its price range. However, as the Analog Relax EX500 proves, things really do get serious when you spend serious money.

So, what remains of the TT01/TA01’s performance when using the TAS 1600? A lot, in fact! The TAS 1600 should not be written off too soon, as it still tracks splendidly, providing a similar level of resolution and refinement. The TT01 is also still super stable, with rock-solid imaging and soundstaging, and although the dynamic behavior is a little calmer than with the EX500, the turntable still delivers impressive dynamics. The bass is definitely thinner, but still very pure, and deep bass is still remarkably well resolved. While the EX500’s added value is undeniable, even when “handicapped” with an affordable cartridge, the Thiele TT01 still comfortably outperforms my current turntables, and it is still the best turntable I have heard.

Given how well the Thiele already performs with the Thorens cartridge, it may not seem absolutely necessary to add a more expensive cartridge. However, to fully realize the player’s potential—as shown with the Analog Relax EX500—it’s unavoidable. Although the EX500 pairs extremely well, other candidates exist to suit different tastes. For instance, Helmut himself likes to use the Ortofon Verismo. Unfortunately, as I’ve witnessed firsthand now and with other turntables before, truly great cartridges are invariably much more expensive than popular mid-tier models. This is just the reality of the audio industry: costs rise sharply when economies of scale no longer apply.

Left: Van den Hul MC Silver IT MkIII; Right: Van den Hul The ISIS.

Swapping Van den Hul interlinks

Now that it is fitted with a TAS 1600 cartridge, the Thiele TT01 is operating under nearly the same conditions as my three turntables, with only one more aspect to investigate: the interlink!

So far, I have been listening to the TT01 using the Van den Hul MC Silver IT MkIII interlinks into the Grimm PW1 phono stage. Early on, I did try this cable as a regular interlink between the CH Precision C1.2 DAC and L1 preamp instead of my usual Driade Flow Reference 808 interlink, to get an idea of its overall sonic signature. In that case, the Van den Hul MC Silver IT MkIII is just as airy and refined, but sounds fuller and warmer in the bass, harmonically richer in the midrange, and lush while remaining upbeat and retaining dynamics. The Driade cable is leaner and cooler, but also more articulate and direct, and feels more precise, if arguably less seductive.

Similar sentiments surface when comparing the Van den Hul MC Silver IT MkIII to the Van den Hul ISIS, but to a greater extent. Nothing is obviously wrong with the ISIS, and it sounds neutral and well-balanced, but compared to the MC Silver IT MkIII, the ISIS is rather bare-bones: comparatively lean, dry, and matter-of-fact. I swapped back and forth a couple of times, and every time the ISIS was connected, I had to readjust to the simpler and more sober balance. But even with this humble cable, the TT01/TA01’s inherent qualities still shine through. Moreover, I would have used the same words in this review even if I hadn’t had the MC Silver IT MkIII. The turntable simply is that impressive!

It’s worth spending a few more words on the MC Silver IT MkIII because there’s definitely something to this cable. First and foremost, it doesn’t try to impress, and it does not emphasize or suppress any part of the audio spectrum. Instead, it provides a smooth, harmonically rich, and tonally well-saturated sound that is easy on the ear, while sacrificing very little in resolution and precision. Its only vice, if you can call it that, is that it slightly rounds the transients, but it does not feel slow or undynamic, and it more than offsets this with a gorgeously natural rendition that maximizes emotional involvement.

Closing Thoughts

Of course, some will find it nonsensical to compare a 27.450-euro turntable to turntables in the 4.000-4.500 euro range, and I agree the gap is very large. However, my experience is not limited to these three turntables, and although I do not have any higher-end contenders available for a direct comparison, the Thiele TT01 truly stands out.

Meanwhile, others will question the validity of a turntable costing more than a few thousand euros. After all, to paraphrase a famous character in the Hi-Fi industry, isn’t a turntable’s only job to spin at the right speed? Obviously, that’s only a fraction of a turntable’s job. More importantly, the price gap is more than justified by the massive increase in performance.

With these comparisons, I hope to have illustrated just how fundamental the differences are, and why it makes perfect sense to invest in an arm as magnificent as the TA01.

Conclusion

The Thiele TT01 is a superbly well-balanced turntable, and the TA01 is nothing short of a groundbreaking tonearm. The sense of hearing only the music itself is so complete and overwhelming that I consistently find myself parking my thoughts and listening, rather than dissecting. With previous turntables, I hear great sound and talk about it with whoever is sitting next to me, but with the Thiele, I go silent and just listen. Nevertheless, when I do manage to switch on my analytical mind, I cannot find any flaws. This turntable “simply” does everything superbly well.

Although the TT01 is relatively affordable compared to certain rivals, it still represents a substantial investment. Its sleek and elegant enclosure isn’t flashy or jewelry-like, but the distinctive Zero Tracking Error tonearm genuinely fulfills its promise without complicating setup. This combination provides both technical precision and emotional depth, achieving a rare and unmatched harmony. Additionally, the TA01 arm stands out not only for its tracking precision but also for its user-friendly design and reliable, steady performance.

It’s been quite a while since I handed out a Magnificent Masterpiece award, but the TT01/TA01 wholeheartedly deserve it!